Dynamic Bridge Diagnostic for Sensor Fault Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Resistive transducer-based sensing bridges in electronic sensors often experience inaccuracies or failures due to faulty components or connections, which can lead to critical issues in safety-critical applications like autonomous driving, posing risks to human life and property.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with switching circuitry and processing circuitry that dynamically adjusts terminal connections and signal processing profiles to maintain functionality and accuracy even when failures occur in the sensing bridge or its connections, using multiplexers to reroute voltage and ground signals and adjusting signal processing based on detected failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensing bridge uses resistive transducers to measure physical parameters, then measurement capability is provided, but the system becomes vulnerable to component failures and connection failures that cause output data inaccuracy or unavailability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary diagnostic actions by continuously monitoring the sensing bridge components and connections before failures can cause complete system failure. The interface circuit proactively detects faults in resistive transducers and connections, allowing the system to switch to alternative operating modes before output data becomes unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the sensing bridge dynamically based on detected fault conditions. When failures are detected, the interface circuit modifies excitation voltages, switching configurations, and signal processing parameters to maintain accurate measurements despite component or connection failures.
2Reliability
If the sensing bridge operates in safety-critical applications like autonomous driving, then the importance of accurate output data increases, but the risk of equipment failure posing danger to human life and property increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms where the interface circuit continuously monitors the health of sensing bridge components and connections. This feedback enables real-time detection of failures and automatic switching to alternative measurement configurations, ensuring that accurate output data is maintained even in safety-critical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares compensatory measures in advance by implementing redundant measurement paths and alternative operating modes within the sensing bridge interface. When failures occur, these pre-prepared alternatives immediately take over, cushioning against the harmful effects of component failures in safety-critical applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the interface circuit uses a fixed connection profile for the sensing bridge, then the circuit design is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to component failures or connection issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching capabilities that allow the interface circuit to change connection profiles based on detected fault conditions. Multiplexers and switching circuitry enable the system to dynamically reconfigure the sensing bridge connections, transitioning between different operational modes to maintain measurements despite component or connection failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the interface circuit with multi-functional capabilities, where a single interface can operate in multiple connection configurations. The sensing bridge interface can function in normal mode, degraded mode with one failed component, and various other configurations, making the system universally adaptable to different failure scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided, comprising: a plurality of terminals for coupling the apparatus to a sensing bridge; a switching circuitry that is coupled to at least one of the plurality of terminals; and a processing circuitry that is configured to: cause the switching circuitry to couple the plurality of terminals to a voltage source, a ground source, and the processing circuitry in accordance with a first connection profile; detect a failure of the sensing bridge or a connection between the sensing bridge and any of the plurality of terminals; select a second connection profile based on a type of the failure; and cause the switching circuitry to couple the plurality of terminals to the voltage source, the ground source, and the processing circuitry in accordance with the second connection profile.